--- title: "Russell: wisdom more necessary with knowledge" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 2 key: "semester_5/communication_english:russell-wisdom-more-necessary" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/russell-wisdom-more-necessary site: BCT Engineering --- # Russell: wisdom more necessary with knowledge Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading - Asked in: 2073 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2078 Bhadra, 5 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [knowledge and wisdom | Exercise of Knowledge and Wisdom Class 12 | summary of knowledge and wisdom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II_0fU1NZS0) — Patel Brothers - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/russell-wisdom-more-necessary - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2 ## Question Russell says 'with the increase of knowledge and skill, wisdom becomes more necessary'. Do you agree with him? Give your opinions. (Knowledge and Wisdom) ## Short answer Yes, I agree: as knowledge and skill grow, wisdom becomes more necessary because greater power can do greater harm. Science can build or destroy, and specialists may ignore broader consequences, so a balanced, compassionate outlook is needed to direct knowledge for human good. ## Answer Yes, I agree with Russell. In "Knowledge and Wisdom" he says that as knowledge and skill grow, wisdom becomes more necessary, because greater power can do greater harm if it is used without good judgement. #### Reasons for agreeing 1. **Knowledge gives power; wisdom directs it.** Science has given humanity the ability to build, cure, communicate, and also to destroy. Atomic energy can light cities or destroy them. Only wisdom, which is a broad and balanced outlook, decides which use is chosen. 2. **Skill without wisdom is dangerous.** A clever technician who thinks only of his specialised problem may ignore the effects on people and the environment. Pollution, climate change and weapons of mass destruction show the danger. 3. **Greater complexity.** In a modern society with powerful technology, small mistakes can have large consequences. We need the habit of seeing the whole picture. 4. **Impartiality and compassion.** Wisdom includes freedom from narrow self-interest and concern for all human beings. Such qualities cannot be produced by training in technical skills alone. 5. **Education.** Modern education stresses information and skills. Unless values and a broad view are taught, we produce clever but unwise people. #### Conclusion The more powerful our tools become, the more we need judgement to use them well. Therefore knowledge must be joined with wisdom, and I fully agree with Russell. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why does the answer agree that wisdom becomes more necessary as knowledge grows? A. Greater power can do greater harm if used without good judgement B. Knowledge makes people automatically wise C. Wisdom is useful only for specialists D. Skill and wisdom are the same Answer: A. Knowledge gives power; wisdom decides how it is used. (Key point: Main argument) 2. Which example illustrates the double use of knowledge? A. Grass can grow through pavement B. Penicillin was found by observation C. Atomic energy can light cities or destroy them D. Bridges hang from cables Answer: C. Only wisdom decides which use is chosen. (Key point: Science example) 3. What does the answer say about modern education? A. It stresses information and skills, so values and a broad view must also be taught B. It already teaches wisdom fully C. It should avoid teaching skills D. It should teach only moral values Answer: A. Without values and a broad view we produce clever but unwise people. (Key point: Education) 4. Why does the answer say complexity of modern society increases the need for wisdom? A. People have less time to think B. Technology removes the need for decisions C. Small mistakes can have large consequences D. Laws make decisions for us Answer: C. Powerful technology magnifies errors, so we need to see the whole picture. (Key point: Complexity) ## Related in Communication English - [Knowledge and Wisdom: sense of proportion](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Asense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Difference between knowledge and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-knowledge-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Knowledge without wisdom makes education futile](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amere-knowledge-without-wisdom-futile) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Interpret: wisdom and emancipation (Russell)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-wisdom-emancipation) — Communication English, chapter 1 - [Features contributing to wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afeatures-contributing-to-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Difference between impartiality and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-impartiality-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 ## Related in other subjects - [T/F: more circuits rather than higher voltage](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftransmission_and_distribution_system_design%3Atf-circuits-rather-than-voltage) — Transmission and Distribution System Design, chapter 2 - [Data mining and business knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Adata-mining-business-knowledge) — Information System, chapter 4 - [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2 - [Dual slope ADC; why quad slope is more accurate](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fadvanced_electronics%3Adual-slope-quad-slope) — Advanced Electronics, chapter 3